Chapter 67

'I'm sorry." Laura stuttered again. 'I wanted to ask you.. I mean.." She turned to me with a fake smile. 'I mean.. it's no big deal but can I ask you some questions?" 'Go on." I was expecting this. 'I'm sorry but how do you know that Lucas is the bad guy in your story?" 'I don't understand." I told her then she turned to face me properly, she was literally glaring at me. 'What made you think Lucas is actually a bad guy?" She asked again, this time carefully. I decided to give her honest answers. I wanted to fight for my friend too just like Mascot was trying to turn her against me. 'Well, he killed my father. You heard when Orion, the soulshifter said it. 'What if he was wrong?" 'Orion, wrong? How could he be wrong? He is a soulshifter." I said. 'After all, you fell for him, huh?" I teased her and expected a shy smile but she gave me nothing. 'I know but that's in the past. I have been thinking lately that maybe people that told you about Lucas lied to you." 'Why do you say so? Have you been speaking to someone?" I asked and regretted it immediately. The goal was not to let her find out that I knew about her and Mascot but I couldn't stop myself. 'No.. no. I have been thinking." She repeated, emphasizing on the 'thinking". 'It might all be wrong, afterall, you weren't even born when it all happened." 'What suggestion are you making? I'm trying to understand." I couldn't pretend anymore. I wanted to unleash my anger on her and let her know that I knew she was about to betray me. 'I'm not making any suggestions, I just wanted us to be sure we are fighting the right battle." 'Of course, we are. Lucas killed my father and he's out for me and you too." 'Because I'm helping you." She murmured. 'What?" 'Nothing. Continue." She said, thinking I didn't hear what she said. She had already gotten on my nerves with the comment she made but I was trying to forgive her. 'I just want you to know that I can never deceive you. I understand that this can be overwhelming sometimes but please stick with me." I said and watched her glare at me with doubtful eyes. What was she thinking? I wanted her to be convinced that I would never plot against her. That Mascot was the enemy. 'What if really, Lucas is the real enemy while Mascot was simply a tool he uses to accomplish his selfish desires. Mascot was never a bad person, I have known him for a long while now, so I feel Lucas must have forced him into this." I couldn't believe that it was Laura talking. How could she think that a strong headed man like Mascot could be cajoled into leaving his friends. I didn't know what to say to her seeing how she was intently looking at me and eagerly waiting for me to accept her judgment of Mascot. 'In summary, what are you saying?" I asked. 'Accept Mascot back to our group. He's such a good man and he'll help us too since he now knows the secrets of Lucas." Laura literally jumped up while making her plea. 'But he betrayed us. We can't trust a traitor." 'He didn't betray us. Didn't you hear what I said? He was forced to do what he did. The Mascot I know would never do that to his friends." She was suddenly getting upset and I needed to find a way to calm her down. I was trying to find a way to make her smile and not make things worse. She was supposed to be on my side not the other way round. 'Have you been speaking to Mascot?" I finally asked the question. 'He isn't good for you." 'No.. I haven't.." One look at me, she finally came to the realization that I knew what she was trying to hide. 'Yes, I did but.." 'But what Laura? You're giving me up for Mascot? Someone who left you when you needed him?" I didn't mean to shout but it happened so suddenly. 'You knew, didn't you?" She left my hands which she had held on to for as long as we talked. 'You knew but pretended not to, right?" 'No.." I stuttered, not sure of what to say. 'Were you spying on me? Were you?" She asked me. 'No, I wasn't. I only came to see you and why are you getting upset about this. You're the one who's trying to give me to your evil ex lover." 'Mascot isn't evil and he isn't my ex lover. He still loves me so much." I chuckled, mocking her. 'Really, is that what he told you? Are you really that naive?" I screamed at Laura and that was the first time ever. 'Yes I am. You found love here at Stormclaw, didn't you? Why does it seem like you found love and I lost mine. Mascot And I were doing very well before you came into our lives, what do you expect me to think?" She asked me, screaming back at me too. 'Believe me, don't think about anything, just believe me, I would never ever mislead you, Laura." 'That could be true but how will I know.. how? I don't know If I can trust you anymore. This journey is for you and your benefits. Isn't it selfish of you?" She asked and for the first time, I felt guilty about this whole stuff. Was I really selfish? After all, this was my problem after all and I was dragging them into it. Should I let her go? Laura was the first lady I met who had been so kind to me. She gave me food to eat, shared her chambers with me, and gave me food. She was a good friend to me and I felt her friendship. I didn't want to lose her but it was obvious she wanted to go, she wanted to leave and go back to Mascot. 'Is this about me and Thorne? He's not even speaking to me." I told her. 'I don't care about you or Thorne, I just want to go back to my steady lifestyle where I was happy and satisfied. Life made more sense then." She stood up from where she sat. 'I'm getting back with Mascot, if you want me back to your team, then you'll also let him too. I love this man and I hope you understand."